A law closing down Turkey's $1bn (�615m) casino industry has come into force.

The ban was imposed as one of the last acts of the country's out-going Islamist-led coalition government.

An attempt was initially made to shut down the industry on moral grounds. That ban was vetoed by the president but the new right-wing secular parliament reimposed the measure last August after allegations that the casinos were being used by organised crime.

In July, 1996, Omer Lutfu Topal, who owned one of Turkey's five gaming organisations was killed, reportedly in a battle over laundered money.

Appeal failed

The owners of Turkey's 79 casinos appealed against the ban in the Constitutional Court, but their appeal was struck down on January 21. The industry claims it contributes around �80m in tax revenues.

Around 20,000 employees could be left unemployed. The tourism industry also faces the loss of thousands of gambling tourists, particularly from nearby Russia and Israel.

The Anatolia News Agency said some employees have set up an association aimed at restoring the industry, but some believe that even if it remains illegal, gambling will still flourish.

One casino regular, Inci Palmer, said she thought many people would travel to Northern Cyprus, barely an hour's flight from Istanbul, and others would go underground.
�

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	�